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wall rack and different shelf materials under TT

Yesterday I swapped a 3/4"x16"x16" walnut cutting board (very nicely custom made and priced from ebay memeber hardwood-lumber-co, not affiliated) under my Pro-ject Xpression III table with an Ortofon MC-3 turbo, speedbox and tube phono box II. The natural unoiled walnut matches my rack better than maple, even though the maple can run more dense, but just a bit more. I used to have a 1/4"x15"x15" porcelain tile piece under my table and the first impressions follow:

- walnut: more relaxed and little warmer sound, bass a little more subdued like when you put a pillow in a bass drum in the drum kit.

- porcelain: more accurate, a little brighter and a touch more bass slam.

I am going to do further listening with both to see which one wins out. There are the factory isolation cones under my turntable and the wall rack is steel bolted to the house studs. I also just got some Electro-Harmonix golds that I am going to roll into the tube phono box II.

Will keep everyone posted...

BTW, I got a 3/4"x10"x16" maple and cherry cutting board for the kitchen and total was $57 including shipping.
sbrownnw
sbrownnw OP
704 posts
 
Not sure why this double-posted.

What are others using under their TTs? What are the pros and cons of the two materials I've listed or does it just come down to listening?
mechans
3,048 posts
 
I couldn't find the Hardwood Lumber Company on Ebay can you spell it out exactly so I can see what they have. I like good lumber and finished boards. Thanks
sbrownnw OP
704 posts
 
hardwood-lumber-co

The price above was for both boards. Great communication, quick and well packed shipping, nice prices and custom orders allowed.

Wish I was home listening to some vinyl instead of working...
mechans
3,048 posts
 
Never mind I found them thanks.
chayro
3,001 posts
 
I don't know if all turntables respond to the shelf materials, but my Linn was extremely sensitive to it. I used it on a wallshelf and I found that a 1/2" Corian shelf sounded better than both the Neuance platform or the standard wood. Even my Linn dealer was surprised at how different it sounded with different shelf materials. It's nice to be able to tune the table to your tastes.
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